"moon"
Luna
Pronunciation: [ l-OON-uh ]
Roman goddess of the moon, beloved by Potterheads everywhere
Meaning & Origin
"goddess of the moon"
"moon"
"lunar goddess, moonlight"
The Story of Luna
Luna is the Latin word for moon, and in Roman mythology Luna was the goddess of the moon — the counterpart to the Greek Selene. She was depicted driving a silver chariot across the night sky. The name was used throughout ancient Rome and medieval Europe, fell from common use for centuries, and has experienced a spectacular revival in the 21st century as parents have embraced celestial and nature-inspired names.
Luna has been one of the fastest-rising girl's names in the US for a decade, entering the top 10 in 2020. It received a major boost from the beloved Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood, introduced in 2003, whose dreamy, kind personality made the name irresistible to a generation of readers who later became parents.
In Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures, Luna has long been a common and beloved name — the moon's central role in agricultural calendars, tidal rhythms, and folklore made it a natural name source across Mediterranean cultures. The word 'lunacy' derives from the ancient belief that the moon influenced human behavior.
Fun Facts
- Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter is widely credited with the name's surge in popularity in the 2010s
- Luna entered the US top 10 girl's names in 2020
- The word 'lunacy' comes from the Latin 'luna' — ancient people believed the moon caused madness
Luna in Other Languages
Famous People Named Luna
Luna Li
Musician
1998
Canadian indie pop musician and multi-instrumentalist known for dreamy, layered music
Luna (Christina Grimmie character)
Musician
1994
Stage persona used by late American singer Christina Grimmie in her YouTube career
Luna Maya
Actor
1983
Indonesian actress, model, and television presenter known for films and TV series
Luna (Roman Goddess)
Other
Roman goddess of the moon, depicted driving a silver chariot across the night sky
Luna Lovegood Fictional
Other
1980
Eccentric, kind Ravenclaw student in the Harry Potter series, known for her dreamy wisdom
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #13
- Total SSA Count
- 7,135
- Cultural Origins
- Latin Spanish Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Luna is also used as a boy name, ranked #10451.
View Luna as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Luna
What does the name Luna mean?
What is the origin of the name Luna?
Is Luna a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Luna
Luna is a girl name with Latin, Spanish, and Italian origins . The name means "moon" in Latin .
Is Luna a boy or girl name? Luna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #13 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #10,451. Luna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Luna is currently ranked #13 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Luna has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-OON-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Luna include Lu and Lulu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Luna include Lunna . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.